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$2 billion budget rejected by council at first glance
David Ertischek
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Despite calling for more police officers, the
Boston City Council unanimously rejected Mayor Thomas Menino's $2 billion
budget.
"Clearly the administration did not reach out to the community and the councilors,"
said At-Large Councilor Maura Hennigan, who is running against Menino this
fall. "Only putting in one police class shows no sensitivity to the
escalating crime ... murders, armed robberies, thefts, all in
neighborhoods that haven't normally seen those crimes."
Hennigan noted that former Boston Police Commissioner Paul Evans said the Boston
Police should have at least 2,250 personnel. Excluding injured officers on
leave, Boston currently has 1,900 police personnel. Hennigan added that
100 or so officers are expected to retire because of incentives.
"These are serious issues, and obviously they don't have a handle on it," said
Hennigan.
Amy Dwyer, spokesperson for Menino, said there is ongoing dialogue with the
council regarding police staffing.
"We always have issues that we deal with the council. We always find solutions
with them, whether it's a fiscal decision or a creative decision," said
Dwyer.
Hennigan was quick to point out one creative way to free up some cash for
neighborhood programs. She said that the transportation department has
been given $750,000 in a mayoral reallocation which is supposed to go
towards more parking meters, street signs and street sweeping.
"Guess what? They have a special account for a parking meter fund," said
Hennigan. "Guess how much it has? $35 million, because it comes from
revenue from parking meters. When you ask how do you fund these things
[the council wants], that's a perfect example."
Hennigan added she's not sure if she'll vote in favor of the budget
by June 30.
However, Dwyer said Menino is confident the budget will be passed by June 30. Two
votes will take place on the budget. The operating budget needs seven
votes to pass, and the capital budget requires nine.
District 5 City Councilor Rob Consalvo saw last week's initial vote another way.
"We rejected the budget without prejudice. That was the first time to vote on
it. We have to reject it on the first day possible to work on it and have
hearings," said Consalvo. "We have to act by law [by 60 days after the
budget has been presented]. No one, including the administration, was
expecting it to pass. Why would we vote on a budget if we're still having
hearings when we haven't had all of the department heads come to the
hearings?
"I think it's a fair budget and provides a high level of city services
throughout every neighborhood while recognizing the fiscal crisis we are
in," said Consalvo. "It's not an indictment on the budget or the mayor."
Agreeing with Hennigan, Consalvo said more police personnel needs to be added,
along with more park rangers, both public safety issues. Hennigan and
District 6 City Councilor John Tobin pointed out the recent crime wave by
gangs in West Roxbury as evidence that District E-5 needs more police
personnel.
Consalvo said there are numerous things in the budget specifically for his district
that he liked, such as $5.1 million for renovating the Roslindale
Community Center, and money to renovate Fallon Field, Alexander the Great
Square and Pagel Playground.
Consalvo points out the state legislature has cut $110 million of local aid during
the last three years. The councilor added the city receives money for its
budget through two primary ways: local aid and property taxes.
Tobin agreed that the city is in a fiscal crisis, and that much of the 6 percent
increase in the budget will be eaten up by benefit increases and retirees.
Like Hennigan, Tobin wants to know what will become of the old Lyndon School on
Russet Street in West Roxbury. The school was remodeled over the past
couple of years and is currently being used as a police training facility.
"We're looking at the whole cost of things. Some people want an early learning
center there, but if someone wants an early learning center, they should
send their kids to day care," said Tobin, chairman of the education
committee. "People want an opportunity to get into the system and not to
have to think about school choices again until high school."
Hennigan pointed out that after the sibling preference in the lottery system, only
four seats remained open for kindergarten. She added there are waiting
lists for most of the Parkway elementary schools, and the old Lyndon
School never should've closed in the first place.
Looking to be creative with money, Tobin suggested that Boston public schools go
to a 75 percent walk zone, compared to the current 50 percent. He
estimated that would save between $9 million to $14 million.
He said some of the councilors criticized him for his suggestion.
"I said 'offer your ideas to where they can move money around.' Suffice to
say, there were no ideas," he said.
But the city council and the mayor all agree the budget is a work in progress,
and more ideas will be pitched during the coming weeks until the final
vote expected to take place on June 30.
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